Site Etiquette

Archaeological sites occur on public lands throughout southwestern Utah. These sites contain evidence of human history on the Colorado Plateau over thousands of years. They are also places of religious and ancestral importance to modern Native Americans. Each year, visitor numbers increase at archeological sites in this region, as do the risks of damage to these fragile resources. Please be a courteous guest when visiting archeological sites on public lands, by observing the following:

“HOUSE RULES”

Visit only if you’re invited.

Please visit only those sites that are “open” to the public and stay on approved trails or walkways. Check with the BLM St. George Field Office for site locations and other visitor information.

Keep your feet off the furniture.

When visiting “open” sites, walk carefully and avoid standing, climbing, or leaning on walls, rock art, or other fragile surfaces.

Don’t touch the paintings.

Never apply chalk, water, or other substances to rock paintings (pictographs) or rock carvings (petroglyphs), as this can damage or destroy these images. Rock surfaces can be very fragile, so please don’t touch, climb, or lean on any rock art.

Don’t eat or pee in the parlor.

Avoid picnicking in archaeological sites, since food attracts critters that may nest in or otherwise disturb the site. Never light campfires in archaeological sites. Please pick up and carry out all your trash.

Don’t move or remove the knicknacks.

Leave artifacts where you find them; it is illegal to remove them from the site. Moving the evidence of past human activities often destroys the scientific value of the site.

Call Mom, if you see something wrong.

Contact a BLM Ranger if you spot damage to an archaeological site or suspicious activities on public land. Call the ARPA hotline at 1-800-227-7286 to report an incident.